Patrick and Echo....

These two are so incredible.  I've known Echo for a few years now, since we danced Polynesian together.  She and Patrick have such a comfortable, loving, and honest bond. I was truly honored they asked me to shoot their wedding. Family is the most important thing to these two, and it's apparent. Their family loves and sustains them, and they were all a big part of this day.

Side note- if you've never been to a Samoan wedding, you are seriously missing out. These guys can PARTY. :)

Thanks you two for letting me be there.










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Swingin'.

I'm trying to catch up here- so bear with me!

So Mikey contacted me to do some dance promo shots. Mikey and his partner, Nikki, have been Lindy Hop partners for a while, and needed some updated shots. Nikki is co-owner of The Atomic Ballroom in Irvine, and she and her husband are deep in the circuit. Nikki and Mikey both teach a variety of dance styles- including wedding first dances- so go look them up if you have ever had the hankerin' to learn.  They are so incredible. They also have a group, Hot Club Stomp, which performs at events and functions, can do private instructions, choreography, the list goes on and on... (check Nikki and Mikey's profile pages on that link for more photos from this session!) Anywhooooo, these two rock. Not only are they an award-winning couple, they are both have award-winning personality. And it shows. :)

Can't wait for our next session- I loved every second of this one.

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Brand New Babies!

If you or anyone you know is expecting a new little addition, check out our Baby Steps Program.  It captures the entire first year of Baby's life, including a maternity session with Mama! (You know, so the new parents can put the camera away and get some sleep...)

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com/

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Ahutoru Nui: Te Ao Maohi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Ahutoru Nui

I've been delaying writing this post because.. well, there's just too much to say.  Ahutoru Nui is a group of dancers and musicians from Tahiti, under the direction and tutelage of Anthony "Coco" Tirao.  They hosted my dad and sister when they traveled there to compete in Tahiti's Heiva, which is the largest, oldest, most respected Tahitian dance and culture competition in the world.  Ahutoru Nui is a group that embodies what I love about the Polynesian culture- they are warm, funny, generous, loving, talented people who give of themselves to the fullest.  The dance and music just pours out of them, directly from their heart.  They traveled here to the United States, and for many of them it was the first time they had ever been off their own island. I had the honor and pleasure of photographing their only Southern California performance at Pearson Park in Anaheim.  It was a beautiful exchange of culture and art, and I am so blessed to know them and to be a part of it.

The Dress Rehearsal

Next post: the actual show. :)

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Double the Love

I've known Lauren since high school.  Well, actually I guess I should say we knew each other in high school.  We lost touch after she graduated (a year before me) and just recently reconnected through Facebook.  She was expecting twins and on bedrest, and let me tell you something.  I could not imagine a better mom.  She is the most patient, kindhearted, sweet person I think I have ever encountered.  And of COURSE she s a teacher.  We need more like her.  Anyway, I was so excited she allowed me to photograph her beautiful babies.  They were born healthy, strong, and around six pounds each! Matthew and Lena are so blessed to have each other (automatic best friends!), such incredible parents, a network of grandmas to help love them, and I am so blessed to have met them.

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LA Shoot This! Craig Park

So this was my very first Shoot This! event.  Not only that, but it was really my very first group event of any sort. If you aren't familiar with this type of event, it's basically a portfolio-building opportunity.  The photographers get to try new things, new lenses, work with some professional models, and the models get images for their portfolio. I've had my reservations about this type of forum, but Joelle Leder is tough to argue with.  The woman's a force to be reckoned with.  So I gave it a try.  And I learned many things. MANY things.  Not just about photography, not just about the business, but about myself.  I discovered some strengths and weaknesses when it comes to shooting.  Things that I probably wouldn't have discovered for a long while had it not been for being in this environment.  I learned that it can be helpful to see what everyone else is doing, then do the opposite.  But most of all, I learned the value in community.  It's so intensely gratifying to be able to speak with other professionals and share knowledge and stories and experience back and forth.  It makes me better.  And it makes my photos better.  So thank you to Joelle, who has been paramount in building this family of photographers, this commune of creativity.  Our work is all better for it.

Kerry Garrison of Camera Dojo giving a lesson on white balance

 

:: Sponsored by http://FolioMojo.com/ ::

Event produced by http://JoelleLederPhotography.com/, founder of the Shoot This! Photo Group and LA Shoot This! events.

:: LA Shoot This! Partners ::

~ Canvas on Demand - http://CanvasOnDemand.com/

~ ProPhotoBlogs - http://www.ProPhotoBlogs.com/

~ KISS Wedding Books - http://kissweddingbooks.com/

~ Patty Cakes - http://www.pattys-cakes.com/

~ ShootQ - http://web.shootq.com/

~ JLP Model & Talent

~ JustDaisy Handcrafted Jewelry - (http://www.facebook.com/pages/JustDaisy-Handcrafted-Jewelry/316979452646?ref=ts)

SPEAKER - Kerry Garrison with http://CameraDojo.com/ & OC Photo Club

GROUP LEADERS - Kerry Garrison, Allen Taylor, Derrick Yazzie, Lloyd Graves, Isaac Trotter, Stephanie Albao & Sarah Caperton

FASHION STYLISTS - Rachel Amara, Sharon Kohout & Marissa Pipitone

MAKEUP & HAIR ARTISTS - Michelle Cheng, Julia Cheng, Sheena Rush Roark, Jamie Elise & Reanna Rozunko

MODELS - Rachel Amara (LEAD), Lindsey Cloud, Devon Ligus, Chelsea Tados, Mera Zero, Ashley Rush, Maite Imbert, JK Delapp, Dean Karasinski, Harper Allen & Evan Harney

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.